Bag holding apparatus

ABSTRACT

A generally U-shaped frame mounting a pair of opposed elongated stationary bag-engaging jaws positioned to receive the open upper end of a bag therebetween and a pair of movable jaws mounted for movements toward and away from the stationary jaws and arranged to engage inner surface portions of the bag adjacent its open end and hold the same against the stationary jaws. A plurality of the frames, each having independently operating holding jaws, is supported on a standard for rotation about a vertical axis, to position bags at different circumferentially spaced areas.

United States Patent [191 Martin et al.

[ Jan. 9, 1973 BAG HOLDING APPARATUS [76] Inventors: William F. Martin, 8932 48th Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minn. 55428; Esko E. Ranta, 4341 Browndale Avenue, Saint Louis Park, Minn. 55424 [22] Filed: March 17, 1971 [21] ,Appl. No.: 125,225

[52] US. Cl ..248/l0l [51] Int. Cl. ..B65b 67/04 [58] Field ofSearch ..248/10l, 100,99

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,903,216 9/1959 Reynolds ..248/l0l 1,225,866 5/l9l7 Schrears ..248/97 2,561,306 7/195] Anderson ..248/l()l Primary Examiner-William H. Schultz Attorney-Merchant & Gould [57] ABSTRACT A generally U-shaped frame mounting a pair of opposedelongated stationary bag-engaging jaws positioned to receive the open upper end of a bag therebetween and a pair of movable jaws mounted for movements toward and away from the stationary jaws and arranged to engage inner surface portions of the bag adjacent its open end and hold the same against the stationary jaws. A plurality of the frames, each having independently operating holding jaws, is supported on a standard for rotation about a vertical axis, to position bags at different circumferentially spaced areas.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 9 I975 SHEET 1 0F 2 INVENTORS F2? MARTIN LLIAM WI Rs W M R E AT TOFFNEYS BAG HOLDING APPARATUS BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF THE INVENTION In present day merchandising, such as with bagged food products, it is often desirable to place a number of bags of food products, such as potatoes, onions, and others, into substantially larger bags for wholesale shipment and storage. By way of example, a number of bags, each holding ten pounds of potatoes, are more easily handled in quantity, when they are placed in a larger bag capable of holding fifty or one hundred pounds of the product. This is particularly true at the present time when equipment is available for handling and transporting goods in larger packages than form'erly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An important object of this invention is the provision of apparatus for holding bags, during the filling thereof with merchandise, in a wide-open condition, so that filling of the bags may be done quickly and easily.

Another object of this invention is the provision of bag-holding apparatus arranged so that the bags may be applied thereto and gripped thereby in a minimum of time and with a minimum of effort.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of bag-holding apparatus which is able to securely hold bags of various materials, and which is adjustable to hold bags of different sizes.

To the above ends, we provide a horizontal generally U-shaped frame including apair of laterally spaced legs and an intermediate portion, a pair of laterally spaced opposed elongated stationary jaws each mounted on one of the legs. The stationary jaws are longitudinally curved in directions toward each other. A pair of elongated movable jaws, conforming generally to the curve of the stationary jaws,are each mounted at one end .to the intermediate frame portion for movements toward and away from engagement with a different one of the stationary jaws. A fluid pressure cylinder and cooperating piston rod are operatively connected to the movable jaws to move the same between operative bag holding positions adjacent tothe stationary jaws and release positions laterally inwardly spaced from and above the level of the stationary jaws. The stationary and movable jaws are provided with gripping elements which engage outer and inner surfaces respectively of a bag to prevent slipping of bags of different materials from between the jaws. Thestationary jaws are adjustable toward and away from each other to accommodate bags of different widths. A valve for controlling operation of .the fluid pressure cylinder and piston rod ismounted in .a convenient position on one of the frame legs.

In accordance with the invention, aplurality oflike bag-holding units are mounted on a vertical standardin circumferentially spaced relationship about thew-vertical axis of the standard and for common rotation about said axis. With this arrangement, bagsican be mounted on a holding unit, filled, andreleased from the unit, at circumferentially spacedareasor stations. Toaidinap- .plying bags to the holding apparatus,each frameis provided with locating memberswhich aid in holding portions of bagsuntil thebags aregripped by the jaws.

DESCRIPTION OF TI-IEDRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view in top plan of bag holding apparatus produced in accordance with this invention, some parts being broken away and some parts being shown in section;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view partly in side elevation and partly in section, taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and a FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 4- 4 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A supporting standard, indicated generally at 1, comprises a vertically disposed central stem 2 extending upwardly from a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial feet 3, and generally radially disposed gussets or brace members 4, welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the feet 3 and stem 1. At its upper end, the stem 2 is provided with an extension portion 5 on which is journalled a tubular sleeve 6 having a. closed upper end 7, see particularly FIG. 4. A manifold or header 8 is mounted on the closed upper end 7 of the sleeve 6 by means of a nipple or othersuitable fitting 9, and is connected to a non-rotary fluid conduit 10 by means ofa conventional adapter 11 which admits fluid from the conduit 10 to the header 8 while permitting rotation of the header 8 with the sleeve 6. The adapter ll is wellknown, and in and of itself, does not comprise the in stant invention. Hence, in the interest of brevity, further detailed showing and description thereof is omitted. 4

A plurality of substantially identical bag holding units are identified at A, B and C, each of the bag holding units comprising a horizontally disposed generally U-shaped frame 112, a pair of stationary bag-engaging and gripping jaws l3, and a pair of movable jaws 14. The frames 12 are disposed in circumferentiallyspaced relationship about the common axis of the stem 2 and sleeve 6, and comprises a pair of laterally spaced generally radiallyoutwardly projecting legs 15, an intermediate portion 16, and an upstanding f1angenl7 projecting upwardlyfrom the intermediate portion 16. The frames 12 are rigidly connected to the tubular sleeve 6 by generally radial arms il8 having their radially-innerends welded to the tubular sleeve 6 and radially outer ends formed to provide angularflanges '19 that are secured to the upstanding flanges 17 by nutequipped boltsor the like 20.

As shown particularly in FIG. I, the stationary jaws 13 of each pair thereof are elongated in directions generally longitudinally of the frame legs 15, and are longitudinally curved in directions generally toward each other. The jaws 13 are ,each provided -with elongated pads or gripping elements 21 preferably made from relatively' soft rubber or other material suitable for gripping :bags of different materials. Each ;of the jaws l-31is provided with a pair of longitudinallyspaced parallel studs 22that extend through itubular guides 23 and which are removably locked in the ,guides 23 .by locknuts 24 screw-threaded on the studs 22 adjacent .oppositeends ofrthe guides 23. Thejaws 1 3, are. adapted to engageopposite outersurface portions of .a;bag,1indicatedat 25in FIG. ,2, adjacent the mouth ofthe bag.

By loosening the locknuts 24, the jaws 13 may be moved toward or away from each other and locked in various positions of such movement, to accommodate bags 25 of different sizes.

The movable jaws 14 are elongated and curved in a manner to conform to the curvature of their adjacent and cooperating stationary jaws 13. At their inner ends, the jaws 14 are formed to provide angularly displaced crank portions 26 from which extend mounting shafts 27. The mounting shafts 27 of each pair of movable jaws 14 are disposed in horizontal parallel relationship, and are journalled in bearings 28 bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to their respective upstanding frame flanges '17. The bearings 28 are so disposed that the movable jaws 14 supported thereby are movable on the axes of their respective shafts 27 between operative clamping positions in engagement with the inner surface of a bag 25 adjacent the open top thereof, as shown by full lines in FIG. 2; and inoperative bag releasing positions above and laterally inwardly of their operative positions, as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 2. It will be noted that the movable jaws 14 are provided with gripping elements 29 in the nature of coatings of non-slippery material, such as soft rubber or suitable plastics.

Means for imparting movements to each pair of movable jaws 14 comprises a plurality of fluid pressure cylinders 30, each operatively associated with a different one of the units A, B and C; and cooperating pistons 31, one of which is shown in FIG. 1, equipped with axially outwardly projecting piston rods 32. The outer end of each piston rod 32 is pivotally connected to one end of a crank arm 33 that is suitably rigidly secured to one of the shafts 27. The end of each cylinder 30 opposite the piston rod 32 is formed to provide a lug element 34 that is pivotally connected to another crank arm 33 that is rigidly secured to the other shaft 27 of the cooperating pair thereof. The conduit is adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure, and fluid conduits 35 extend to opposite ends of the various cylinders 30 through suitable valves 36 conveniently mounted on one leg of each pair thereof. Each valve 36 is provided with a manually operated valve actuator button or the like 37, and is arranged to admit fluid under pressure to one end of its respective cylinder 30 to cause the associated movable jaws 14 to move in toward operative engagement with their respective stationary jaws 13 when the actuator button 37 is pushed toward the valve 36. To cause the jaws 14 to move in the opposite direction to release a bag 25, it is only necessary to pull the switch actuator button 37 associated therewith to cause fluid under pressure to be admitted to the opposite end of its respective cylinder 30.

For the purpose of aiding in locating and mounting a bag between the stationary jaws 13 of any one of the holding units, we provide pairs of laterally spaced locating members 38, each pair being secured by anchoring nuts 39 to a respective one of the upstanding flanges 17. Each locating member 38 has a downturned bag engaging end portion 40 for hooking engagement with an upper edge portion of a bag to be held. When it is desired to apply a bag to one of the holding units, the operator hooks a portion of the mouth of the bag behind the down-tumed portions 40,

and holds the opposite edge portion of the bag outwardly while actuating the associated valve 36. Fluid admitted to the appropriate end of the cylinder 30 causes the movable jaws 14 to move downwardly and outwardly into engagement with the inner surface of the bag between the portions engaged by the down-' turned ends 40 and the opposite portions held by the operators hands. The operator then releases his hold upon the bag and the movable jaws 14 clamp the opposite side portions of the bag therebetween and their respective stationary jaws 13. When using bags made from relatively stiff heavy paper, it is not necessary to use the locating members 38. However, when using bags made from cloth or relatively flimsy plastic material, the locating members 38 are very effective in helping to support such bags until the same are clamped between their cooperating gripping jaws 13 and 14.

It will be appreciated that, by providing the jaws 13 and 14 with respective rubber or soft plastic gripping elements 21 and 29, the jaws 13 and 14 are enabled to support the total weight of the filled bags, thus eliminating the necessity for an underlying turntable or other additional bag supporting means.

While we have shown and described a commercial embodiment of our bag holding apparatus, it will be un derstood that the same is capable of modification without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Bag holding apparatus comprising:

a. a horizontal generally U-shaped frame including laterally spaced leg portions and an intermediate connecting portion, said intermediate portion including an upstanding flange;

a pair of opposed elongated stationary gripping aws;

c. means mounting said gripping jaws on said frame 7 in laterally spaced relationship for receiving the open upper end portion ofa bag therebetween and disposing each of said stationary gripping jaws adjacent a different one of said legs;

a pair of movable gripping jaws elongated generally in the direction of elongation of said stationary jaws;

e. means including said upstanding flange mounting said movable jaws for movements each toward and away from gripping engagement with a different one of said stationary jaws;

f. power operated means for imparting movements to said movable jaws simultaneously toward their respective stationary jaws, to clamp spaced portions of a bag adjacent its open upper end between the movable and the stationary jaws and support the bag in an open position, and alternately away from their respective stationary jaws to release the bag gripped therebetween; and l g. control means for said power operated means.

2. The bag holding apparatus according to claim 1 in which said means mounting the movable jaws comprises, a pair of laterally spaced bearings mounted on said upstanding flange, a pair of mounting shafts journalled in said bearings on parallel axes extending in directions generally parallel to the longitudinal dimensions of said stationary jaws and laterally offset from their respective movable jaws, and crank portions extending transversely of said shafts and connecting each of said shafts to one end of a different one of said movable jaws.

3. The bag holding apparatus according to claim 2 in which said shafts and crank portions are arranged to dispose said movable jaws for movements between bag gripping positions level with and adjacent their respective stationary jaws and inoperative bag-releasing positions generally centrally between and above the level of said stationary jaws.

4. The bag holding apparatus according to claim 2 in which said power operated means comprises a fluid pressure operated cylinder, a piston axially movable in the cylinder, a piston rod connected to the piston and projecting from one end of the cylinder, and crank means connecting said cylinder and piston rod each to a different one of said shafts, said cylinder having opposite end portions for connection to a source of fluid under pressure.

5. The bag holding apparatus according to claim 2 characterized by a pair of laterally spaced locating members projecting laterally outwardly from said intermediate frame portion and having downwardly projecting bag-engaging portions for reception in the open upper end of a bag intermediate said stationary jaws adjacent one end thereof, whereby to position a bag prior to the clamping of the bag between said movable and stationary jaws.

6. Bag holding apparatus comprising:

a. a generally upright supporting standard having a vertical axis;

b. a plurality of circumferentially spaced horizontal generally U-shaped frames mounted on said standard for common rotation about the axis of said 6 standard; c. pairs of opposed elongated stationary gripping jaws;

d. means mounting each of said pairs of said stationary jaws on a different one of said frames in circumferentially spaced opposed relationship for receiving the open upper end portion of a bag therebetween;

e. pairs of movable gripping jaws elongated generally in the direction of elongation of respective pairs of said stationary jaws;

f. means on said frame mounting said pairs of movable jaws for movements of each jaw toward and away from bag gripping engagement with a respec' tive one of said stationary jaws;

g. power operated means on each of said frames for imparting movements to each pair of movable jaws independently of the other pairs thereof, toward their respective stationary jaws to clamp spaced portions of a bag adjacent its open upper end between the movable and stationary jaws and support the bag in an open position, and alternately in directions away from their respective stationary jaws to release the bag gripped. therebetween; and

h. control means for controlling the power operated means associated with each pair of movable jaws independently of the other pairs thereof.

7. The bag holding apparatus according to claim 6 in which said power operated means comprises a plurality of fluid pressure operated cylinders and piston equipped rods one for each pair of said movable aws,

said control means including a plurality of control valves each in a fluid circuit for one of said cylinders,

each control valve being mounted on a different one of said frames adjacent one of the stationary jaws thereon. 

1. Bag holding apparatus comprising: a. a horizontal generally U-shaped frame including laterally spaced leg portions and an intermediate connecting portion, said intermediate portion including an upstanding flange; b. a pair of opposed elongated stationary gripping jaws; c. means mounting said gripping jaws on said frame in laterally spaced relationship for receiving the open upper end portion of a bag therebetween and disposing each of said stationary gripping jaws adjacent a different one of said legs; d. a pair of movable gripping jaws elongated generally in the direction of elongation of said stationary jaws; e. means including said upstanding flange mounting said movable jaws for movements each toward and away from gripping engagement with a different one of said stationary jaws; f. power operated means for imparting movements to said movable jaws simultaneously toward their respective stationary jaws, to clamp spaced portions of a bag adjacent its open upper end between the movable and the stationary jaws and support the bag in an open position, and alternately away from their respective stationary jaws to release the bag gripped therebetween; and g. control means for said power operated means.
 2. The bag holding apparatus according to claim 1 in which said means mounting the movable jaws comprises, a pair of laterally spaced bearings mounted on said upstanding flange, a pair of mounting shafts journalled in said bearings on parallel axes extending in directions generally parallel to the longitudinal dimensions of said stationary jaws and laterally offset from their respective movable jaws, and crank portions extending transversely of said shafts and connecting each of said shafts to one end of a different one of said movable jaws.
 3. The bag holding apparatus according to claim 2 in which said shafts and crank portions are arranged to dispose said movable jaws for movements between bag gripping positions level with and adjacent their respective stationary jaws and inoperative bag-releasing positions generally centrally between and above the level of said stationary jaws.
 4. The bag holding apparatus according to claim 2 in which said power operated means comprises a fluid pressure operated cylinder, a piston axially movable in the cylinder, a piston rod connected to the piston and projecting from one end of the cylinder, and crank means connecting said cylinder and piston rod each to a different one of said shafts, said cylinder having opposite end portions for connection to a source of fluid under pressure.
 5. The bag holding apparatus according to claim 2 characterized by a pair of laterally spaced locating members projecting laterally outwardly from said intermediate frame portion and having downwardly projecting bag-engaging portions for reception in the open upper end of a bag intermediate said stationary jaws adjacent one end thereof, whereby to position a bag prior to the clamping of the bag between said movable and stationary jaws.
 6. Bag holding apparatus comprising: a. a generally upright supporting standard having a vertical axis; b. a plurality of circumferentially spaced horizontal generally U-shaped frames mounted on said standard for common rotation about the axis of said standard; c. pairs of opposed elongated stationary gripping jaws; d. means mounting each of said pairs of said stationary jaws on a different one of said frames in circumferentially spaced opposed relationship for receiving the open upper end portion of a bag therebetween; e. pairs of movable gripping jaws elongated generally in the direction of elongation of respective pairs of said stationary jaws; f. means on said frame mounting said pairs of movable jaws for movements of eaCh jaw toward and away from bag gripping engagement with a respective one of said stationary jaws; g. power operated means on each of said frames for imparting movements to each pair of movable jaws independently of the other pairs thereof, toward their respective stationary jaws to clamp spaced portions of a bag adjacent its open upper end between the movable and stationary jaws and support the bag in an open position, and alternately in directions away from their respective stationary jaws to release the bag gripped therebetween; and h. control means for controlling the power operated means associated with each pair of movable jaws independently of the other pairs thereof.
 7. The bag holding apparatus according to claim 6 in which said power operated means comprises a plurality of fluid pressure operated cylinders and piston equipped rods one for each pair of said movable jaws, said control means including a plurality of control valves each in a fluid circuit for one of said cylinders, each control valve being mounted on a different one of said frames adjacent one of the stationary jaws thereon. 